Chelsea v Arsenal – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Chelsea faces Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. The visitors sit top of the table and are already 10 points clear of the Blues at this stage. The Gunners have won four of the last five fixtures between these teams and will have the confidence of taking three points on the road.

Chelsea Form

Since Graham Potter took over, it’s just one defeat in 11 for Chelsea. The English coach have overseen four successive wins in the Champions League to ensure a first-place finish in their group. Milan were beaten home and away prior to a victory in Salzburg and a 2-1 home win against Dnamo Zagreb in midweek.

The league form has been far less impressive though. Potter won his first three fixtures in the Premier League but a 2-0 win at Aston Villa was somewhat fortunate. A 0-0 draw at Brentford and 1-1 home draw with Man Utd followed. A week ago, Chelsea were beaten 4-1 at Brighton in a limp display. That made it three points dropped in the last three league matches.

Chelsea Team News

Graham Potter has a number of key injuries ahead of this match. Kepa is doubtful in goal whilst all of Reece James, Ben Chilwell, and Wesley Fofana are ruled out in defensive position. N’Golo Kante is a long-term absentee in central midfield.

Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella will be recalled to the XI, as will Mateo Kovacic, after getting breathers in midweek. In attack, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will hope to start against his former club, but Kai Havertz could be preferred.

Chelsea Motivation

The Blues will play to win but could take a few approaches. In the big games against Milan, Potter used a 3-4-2-1 shape and defended with a back five. In many other matches, he has used a 3-4-3 diamond with a genuine winger like Raheem Sterling as an advanced wingback.

Whatever the approach, Potter won’t settle for a draw at home and will throw on extra attackers if the score is level in the second half.

Arsenal Form

Mikel Arteta’s side are top of the table having had a fantastic season so far. Their only defeat was 3-1 at Man Utd in late September. Their response since then has been ten wins in the next 12 in all competitions and five wins (and one draw) in six in the league.

The only league points dropped since the United defeat came in a 1-1 draw at Southampton, in a game where they looked fatigued from the Europa League. A surprise 2-0 loss at PSV followed in Europa. Arsenal have nipped any worries about a slump in the bud by thrashing Nottingham Forest 5-0 and winning 1-0 at home against Zurich in their last match. That victory ensured top spot in the Europa League group.

Arsenal Team News

The Gunners have just a couple of injury worries. Emile Smith Rowe is absent and deputy goalkeeper Matt Turner is a major doubt. Bukayo Saka went off injured against Nottingham Forest but was able to play half an hour against Zurich and will start at Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard will also return to the XI having featured as subs on Thursday. Takehiro Tomiyasu is likely to start at left back in this match in preference to Kieran Tierney and fit-again, Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Arsenal Motivation

Arsenal will be highly motivated to take all three points at Chelsea and truly mark themselves out as title contenders. Arteta’s side have two fewer rest days after playing on Thursday so it may be difficult to play with maximum intensity.

A draw would not be a bad result but Arsenal are not expected to play for a point at any stage.

Key Stats

Chelsea are winless in 3 PL matches (DDL)

Chelsea are 9 home PL matches unbeaten (W5, D4)

Chelsea have seen Both Teams to Score in 7 of their last 8 home matches (PL)

Arsenal have won 4 of their last 5 matches against Chelsea (all comps)

Arsenal have taken the most points in the PL away from home (13 in 6 matches)

Arsenal have lost 1 of their last 6 away PL matches   

Verdict

A very tight match is expected. Chelsea doesn’t look at their best in recent weeks as key injuries have taken their roll. Arsenal played Thursday night which is a disadvantage but their form is far more impressive. I am tipping this to finish in a score draw.